Trump Hints at Canada Trade Deal Amid Rising Auto Tariff Worries
President Donald Trump at a Sunday political rally forecasted that a trade dispute with Canada would be settled “soon,” though he did not offer any specifics. At an event in Port Huron, Michigan, aimed at bolstering Republican candidates in anticipation of the November 3 midterms, Trump and other speakers reiterated his frequently stated position that increased tariffs on Canadian goods are necessary due to Canada’s alleged trade practices that disadvantage the US. “I had to do it,” Trump told. “We’ll have that settled pretty soon. They’re willing to give us anything at this moment.”
The office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump secured victory in Michigan’s border region, encompassing Port Huron, during the 2024 presidential election, garnering over 66% of the vote. However, the local economy has experienced repercussions from the US-Canada tariff standoff, particularly affecting the Detroit-based US auto industry.
Republican Congressman Mike Rogers, currently engaged in a competitive race against Democratic challenger Abdul El-Sayed, has sought to separate himself from the president’s tariff policy concerning the auto industry. Rogers on Sunday praised Trump’s tariffs for attracting manufacturing investments in Michigan from Chevrolet and Detroit Diesel, but expressed concern, stating, “the automobile portion of these Canadian tariffs worries me a little bit.” And “There’s some good and there’s some things we have to work on,” he told “Meet the Press.”
